Hello.  I am James Q. Bacchus, Superintendent for the Hattiesburg Public School District (HPSD). I am excited to begin a new year as Superintendent and look forward to working with the district staff, as well as the Hattiesburg community to help our students achieve greater success, in school and in life. Our focus is always on our students. Every decision we make and every policy we create must have students at its heart.

I know that reaching our students at an earlier age, before Kindergarten, before Pre-K, at the earliest stages of learning is one of the most important things that we as a community can do to help them be prepared for school. Our main goals are going to be to increase student achievement and to lower the drop out rate here in Hattiesburg. To accomplish those goals we will need the support of everyone in Hattiesburg. We cannot do it alone.

I am encouraged to see our attendance rate is around 95%. That means that the majority of our students are coming to school and we have an opportunity to teach them.

HPSD has so much to be proud of and we continue to reach for heights of excellence. We offer an array of instructional opportunities to meet the needs of our diverse learners, including: Pre-Advanced Placement courses, Advanced Placement courses, Career & Technical Education programs and a district General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program to name a few.

Our schools are home to a championship forensic and debate team (including the National Forensic League National Student of the Year: Cory Williams), an award winning string orchestra program and an abundance of other extra-curricular programs and a much sought-after jazz band. Hattiesburg also offers numerous athletic programs including: power lifting, tennis, golf, soccer, bowling, swimming, and even archery.

The district and all of our schools are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  

I look forward to this new year of working with our Board of Trustees, our staff, our students, parents and community members to provide the best education possible for our students. Hattiesburg is a wonderful city and community, and Hattiesburg Public Schools is creating new success each and every day in the lives of our students, which in turn benefits each of us as citizens of Hattiesburg! As our district motto says: "Today's Learners, Tomorrow's Leaders!"

James Q. Bacchus

Superintendent

Hattiesburg Public Schools

Click here to visit the Superintendent's Blog.